Dane Wins Sprint Finish
Road Race 1 on Wednesday 18th April 2007
Wednesday 18th April saw the first Lakeland CC road race of the year. The 24-mile event started near the Three Ways Inn, headed out the Swanlinbar road to Mullen mart, turned left for Kinawley, turned right at Kinawley for Derrylin and then headed back in the Derrylin road through Belnaleck to Enniskillen.
There was a good turnout with 27 riders. The field was split into three groups. The first group of five riders were set off, then the main group went five minutes later and then three minutes later, the 'scratch' group of six riders came out of the traps. This was the first time in the 'scratch' for Dane Dunlop and John McManus.
Raymond Pauley tried in vain to stir the main group into action but with no one else keen to drive it on the 'scratch' caught the main group before it reached the turn onto the Derrylin road.
The pace stepped up then and the first group were caught soon after. A breakaway group formed with four riders, Raymond Pauley, John McManus, Robbie Bryson and an Omagh Wheeler. This breakaway wasn't chased down until the last mile when a group containing Dane Dunlop bridged the gap.
In the final sprint Dane surged ahead to come in first with Peter Martin coming up fast on the outside, in second and Patrick Withers tucked in behind Dane, in third. Raymond Pauley, Michael Holland and Robbie Bryson completed the top six places.
Results
| Pos | Cyclist | Club | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dane Dunlop | LCC | |
| 2 | Peter Martin | LCC | |
| 3 | Patrick Withers | Fintona CC | |
| 4 | Raymond Pauley | LCC | |
| 5 | Michael Holland | N.Monaghan/Crannog Ireland | |
| 6 | Robbie Bryson | LCC |